Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Review: A Bohemian Rhapsody of Realism and Grit

Alright, gamers, buckle up!
We’re diving deep into the medieval world of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2.
Is this gritty RPG a Game of the Year contender?
Does it live up to the hype?
Let’s break down the gameplay, graphics, and everything in between, offering you the lowdown you need to know.

Is Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 a GOTY Contender?

We’re barely out of January, and the whispers have already begun: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 might just be the first solid contender for Game of the Year 2025.
This medieval role-playing game from Warhorse Studios ticks all the right boxes: a favored genre, strong review scores, and a gritty epic storyline.
While we at Polygon haven’t rendered our verdict yet (the launch embargo lifts on Feb 4), the precedents are promising.
Story-driven action-adventure games and RPGs with high production values typically fare well, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 seems to be hitting that sweet spot.

A high Metacritic rating is practically a prerequisite.
A Metascore in the high 80s or, even better, the 90s significantly boosts a game’s chances.
As of now, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 sits at an impressive score, positioning it favorably.
Will it maintain this momentum amidst the year’s heavy hitters?
Only time will tell.
But for now, it’s definitely leading the charge.

Consider Black Myth: Wukong.
Like Wukong, and even past GOTY winners like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Baldur’s Gate 3, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 comes from a hungry, independent-minded studio outside the U.S.
or Japan.
This “outsider AAA” status often resonates well with The Game Awards jury and other awards bodies.
And with Warhorse creative director Daniel Vávra having been known to speak his mind, the anticipation surrounding this game is palpable.

Graphics and Performance: A CryEngine Showcase

Let’s talk visuals.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 uses the CryEngine to create a stunning recreation of 15th-century Bohemia.
Huge, dense woodlands, dynamic weather, and a realistic day/night cycle all contribute to an immersive experience.
Grass and tree pop-in are present, sadly, but the photorealistic look Warhorse achieves otherwise is remarkable, thanks to physically-based materials.
How do the different platforms stack up?
Let’s take a look.

The standard PS5 and Xbox Series X offer a choice: a 30fps fidelity mode at 1440p or a 60fps performance mode at 1080p, both using AMD’s FSR 2.1.2.
The Xbox Series S, unfortunately, is locked at 1080p and 30fps.
PS5 Pro users get a single, souped-up mode rendering at 1296p with PSSR upscaling to 4K, running at a smooth 60fps.

As PC Gamer discusses in their video review, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 boasts a beautifully crafted world thanks to the CryEngine, scaling surprisingly well across different hardware configurations.

Want to see how the latest GPUs handle this title?
Check out these performance tests:

zWORMz Gaming showcases the RTX 5090’s prowess in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, pushing the game to its limits at various resolutions and settings.
Can it handle 16K?
Check it out!

And if you’re rocking an RTX 4060, zWORMz Gaming has you covered too!
See how this card performs at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K with different settings and DLSS enabled.

The Importance of Dialogue: Listen Up!

In Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, dialogue isn’t just fluff—it’s crucial.
Warhorse Studios emphasizes that players should value spoken conversations, as skipping them can lead to some, shall we say, *unfortunate* circumstances.
You might miss out on vital quest details that the game’s journal doesn’t retain.
Imagine following a list of clues provided by an NPC, only to realize later that you completely missed a key piece of information!

Dialogue in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 often contains valuable information.
Unlike most RPGs where you can skim through conversations and find everything in the quest log, this game requires you to *listen*.
And it’s not just the information; it’s the voice acting too.
The game features excellent voice acting that is worth experiencing fully.
Some players are even reprising roles, adding extra depth to the experience.

Gameplay Mechanics: Immersion and Realism

What makes Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 stand out?
Its immersion and realism.
Fatigue, hunger, and wounds are simulated as you travel the map, adding layers of depth to the gameplay.
Your attire and stats influence the outcome of discussions, making every decision impactful.
On a tech level, the rendering of dense woodland areas is a standout point across all platforms, backed by dynamic weather and time-of-day systems.

Combat has been streamlined but is no less complex.
Compared to the first game, it’s significantly more fluid and approachable.
Combat uses a rosette that allows you to attack from either three or four directions, depending on the weapon type you’re using.
Mastering combos and advanced techniques like Master Strikes is key to defeating formidable enemies.

Old-School RPG Roots: A Nod to the Past

Interestingly, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 draws inspiration from classic RPGs like Oblivion and Morrowind.
As senior designer Ondřej Bittner mentioned, the team deliberately harked back to those brilliant open worlds of old.
The goal?
To move away from the instant gratification that plagues so many modern games and return to the roots of RPGs where players have the freedom to explore and set their own goals.

However, this approach might not appeal to everyone.
The lack of handholding can clash with players from a younger generation who are accustomed to constant direction.
That’s why Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 has a slightly more guided intro than its predecessor.
It strikes a balance between old-school depth and modern approachability, ensuring that players can explore Bohemia without immediately getting decapitated by a bandit.

Steam Deck Compatibility: Medieval Mayhem on the Go

Can you take Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 on the go?
Absolutely!
The game has earned Playable status on the Steam Deck.
While its cramped UI might not be ideal, it’s plenty functional in handheld mode.
It can even manage some decent 40fps+ performance without sacrificing all the quality settings.
How about battery life, though?

Expect around 1 hour and 22 minutes on the original LCD Deck and a little over two hours on the OLED model.
Not ideal, but not a dealbreaker.
The heavy, deliberately-paced swordfighting style actually feels more natural with thumbsticks than with a mouse.
Just be prepared to squint a bit at the dinky 800p screen.
FSR upscaling on Quality mode helps, but menu text can be slightly too small to read comfortably.

Final Verdict: A Bohemian Rhapsody

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a triumphant sequel, improving upon its predecessor with an open-world RPG that delights in its complexity and emphasis on player choice.
Its slow-paced and often tedious approach might not be for everyone, but those willing to meet it on its own terms will find a compelling adventure that relishes in player agency and the consequences of your actions.
With engaging quests, well-written characters, and stunning visuals, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is undoubtedly a strong contender for Game of the Year.

So, what do you think?
Are you ready to dive into the gritty world of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2?

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: Your Burning Questions Answered

Is Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 a GOTY Contender?

The game shows strong potential to be a Game of the Year contender in 2025 due to its favored genre, strong review scores, and compelling storyline.

What platforms can I play Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 on?

The game is available on Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS5, and potentially PC, given the discussion of graphics cards performance.

What is the performance like on consoles?

Performance varies by console.
The Xbox Series S is locked at 1080p/30fps.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X offer both 1440p/30fps (Fidelity) and 1080p/60fps (Performance) modes.
The PS5 Pro targets 1296p/60fps.

Is dialogue important in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2?

Yes, dialogue is crucial.
Skipping conversations can lead to missing vital quest details not recorded in the game’s journal.

Can I play Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 on the Steam Deck?

Yes, the game is Playable on the Steam Deck with decent performance, although the UI might be cramped and the battery life limited.

Final Thoughts: A Gritty Medieval Masterpiece?

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 emerges as a strong sequel that builds upon its predecessor, offering an immersive and complex RPG experience.
While its slow pace might not appeal to everyone, those who embrace its realism and player-driven consequences will find a compelling and rewarding adventure.
Its engaging quests, well-written characters, and impressive visuals solidify its position as a potential Game of the Year contender.

Ready to Dive In?
Next Steps to Explore Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

• Check out gameplay videos to get a better feel for the combat system.
• Read more in-depth reviews from various sources to form your own opinion.
• Consider your platform of choice based on the performance analysis provided.
• Prepare to immerse yourself in the detailed and unforgiving world of 15th-century Bohemia.